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WASHINGTON D.C. (July 29, 2008) - A Marine in Fallujah pens a
song about standing watch. A Sailor stationed in Hawaii scribbles a
lullaby for his son while in the Iraqi desert. A Soldier raps into
a tape recorder to entertain his unit. Songwriters like these
servicemembers were among the many who submitted their original
songs to this year's "Songs From the Soul of Service" songwriting
contest.
Now in its third year, the amateur songwriting contest is a
collaborative effort between the Dallas Songwriter Association and
the Defense Department's America Supports You program, which
highlights corporate and grassroots support for U.S. servicemembers
and their families.
Judges select winners and runners-up in each of 18 categories,
which include Afghanistan and Iraq, country, hip-hop,
inspirational, instrumental and pop/rock. They then select three of
the category winners for grand prizes.
The top three songs for 2008 are:
-- First Place: "Ask Me To" by Air Force Capt. Steven Wilson,
which took top pop/rock honors;
-- Second Place: "If Tomorrow Were a Dream" by Army National
Guard Spc. Greg Pritchard, which was the contest's top country
song; and
-- Third Place: "I Can't Wait to Love You" by Jill Charles, wife
of Army Staff Sgt. Robert Charles, the top song in the
inspirational category.
"Every military conflict from the American Revolution to the
Civil War to the first Gulf War has spawned music that reflected
the moods, emotions and sentiments of the nation's fighting men and
women," said William Brown, Dallas Songwriter Association board
member and committee chairman for Songs From the Soul of
Service.
"Songs From the Soul of Service serves to capture some of this
history," he continued, "while providing recognition to talented
songwriters and diversion and entertainment to participants and
nonparticipants alike."
Wilson, who earned the top grand prize, said his own life
provides his songwriting inspiration.
"Over the years, writing music has been so autobiographical," he
said. "It's so honest and personal. I think this contest truly
personalizes the image of the military. It shows civilians that as
'the troops' we represent so much more than uniforms and duty. This
contest gives us the chance to showcase what might otherwise remain
silent or be forgotten."
The contest is open exclusively to amateur songwriters currently
serving in the U.S. military and those currently inactive due to
injury or disability suffered after the start of the war in
Afghanistan. Eligible participants may submit songs on behalf of an
immediate family member, a fallen comrade or a fallen comrade's
immediate family member.
Brown said he thinks the contest is an excellent outlet for
servicemembers.
"These songs provided respite, unit bonding and an expressive
outlet during trying times," he explained. "In some cases, these
songs will transcend their times and become permanent fixtures in
the nation's patriotic songbook."
Wilson, along with the other winners of each category, will be
included on a compilation CD provided to radio and music industry
professionals, as well as to the contest participants. The
first-place grand prize includes a weekend stay at the Gaylord
Texan Hotel.
Public events to showcase the winning songs and songwriters are
in the planning stages. The events will culminate with a concert at
the end of the year, headlined by well-known recording artists.
Editor's Note: Military families can also avail
themselves of the Defense Department's America Supports You
program, which highlights home-front groups across the nation that
are providing a variety of services and support to troops and their
families. A listing of these groups and information about their
efforts is available at www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil.
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